Friday, June 8, 2012

Teen Dies after fall from Inspiration Point in Yellowstone

An 18-year-old woman died yesterday in an accidental fall near Inspiration Point in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

The woman, a Yellowstone concession employee on her first day in the park, was hiking the canyon's North Rim Trail with three other acquaintances when she ventured out off trail onto a loose rock promontory, which quickly gave way underneath her.

Yellowstone Rangers responded to a 911 cell phone call received at 5:44 p.m. Thursday, reporting a woman had fallen into the canyon. Rangers with the assistance of ground spotters and a Teton Interagency helicopter observed the woman's body resting approximately 400 feet down the canyon wall. They concluded that she had sustained non-survivable injuries.

Despite the hazardous terrain, the body was successfully recovered from the canyon by short-haul helicopter operation at approximately noon today.

The victim's identity is being withheld until next of kin can be notified.

Visitors are reminded that hiking close to canyon rims in the park is extremely dangerous. Staying on posted, designated canyon rim trails is a must due to the instability of loose dirt and rock near ledges.